Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-26
RAISIN-G
California the Leading Raisin
Producer of the Future.

Inc resources Ot CutVOIHtU III IL Ie-
cent article on this interesting subject
says that the growing of raisin grapes
is now attracting great attention in
California. The raisins of the San
joaquin valley, for quality and size,
are superior to those of Spain and
Italy, and larger and finer than those
of any other part of California. Yield,
quality, prices and market point to
this branch of industry as one of the
most profitable branches of farming.
The capital required is small, and the
time from planting to, producing is
short. The work is light and well
adapted to women and children. 1t is
infinitely healthier, easier and more
profitable than kitchen or sewing
machine work. The light labor can
be done by thousands of fair hands
that now have nothing to do, and it
can be the means of rendering large
numbers of women self-supporting
who are now entirely dependent upon
others.
That there is future for California
as raisin producing country, is no
longer matter of doubt or specula-
ton. The industry has passed beyond
an experiment, and is assuming grand
proportions in the products of this
State. Where our raisins have been
sampled in the Eastern States, the
verdict has come back that they out
ranked in quality the famed raisins of
foreign countries. The grapes usually
grown for raisins are the seedless Sui
tana and Muscat of Alexandria, also
known as the Muscatel. Raisin
making has been we'll described as fol-
lows by a prominent raisin grower ::
The sun-laved shores Of the Mediter-
ranean offer to the vine no finer soil
and climate than the warm valleys of
California.
The abundant water supply from
the snow-filled cafions of the mighty
Sierra gives health to the vine and
size to the berries, while the long
summer heat fills the grape with all
lusciousness. When the early Sep
tember days pour torrid heat upon
the earth the clusters put on golden
tint-the royal amber of ripeness.
Sun and water and warmth can do no
more. The vintage time has come to
make sweet raisins, filled with jelly,
and of fine brown color. 1t is i'm
portant that the grapes shall show
this yellow color.
The United States is the greatest
raisin consuming country in the world
importing annually 100000 boxes
from Europe, the products of which
are produced almost entirely in the
Malaga and Valencia districts of
Spain. The duty is two and one-half
cents pound, which of course adds
to the price paid by the consumer. OF
the total amount consumed, not more
thau one-twentieth is derived from
California. Therefore it will be seen
that there is large field for the pro-
duction of raisins.
George Camp raised raisins which
brought him $500 per acre per annum.
Scazighini got $4,000 wortii of raisins
from four acres in one season; many
others might be cited. With regard
to the quality, it has been proved by
Mr.. Blowers and many other vine
vardists that the San Joaquin valley
raisin equals, if it does not surpass,
all others. Here again the necessities
of small holdings is made apparent,
as the work of the entire family will
be called into service, and not only
can the raisins so picked. cured and
packed be sold cheaper, but a greater
profit can be made than were hired
labor used. Therefore, raisin produc-
ing is especially adapted to families
owning few acres.
The following figures will give the
approximate cost of starting raisin
farm in the San Joaquin Valley, Cali
fornia
COST ON A VINEYARD OF TEN ACRES.
Ten acres of land at 800 per acre, s. 1000
$3.50 Muscat cuttings at $5 per acre. so
Flowing and narrowing, SO per acre 30